ID: 1605
Presenting Author: Ana Loza
Session: 516 - Asian S3EA: Strategic, Spatial and Sustainable EA with effective information
Status: pending
This paper examines how Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is understood and regulated across GCC countries, identifying overlaps with EIA, gaps in alignment with global SEA principles
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is increasingly recognised as a key tool for promoting long-term, integrated planning. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, interest in SEA is growing as countries strive to balance rapid development with sustainability goals and alignment with international best practices. This paper compares the c frameworks of GCC countries using a multi-criteria approach to support a structured assessment of legislative and institutional progress. The results indicate that current SEA approaches remain fragmented, shaped by differing legal frameworks, institutional capacities, and planning traditions. The ongoing confusion between SEA and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reinforces a project-level interpretation of SEA, also limiting its potential to inform strategic decision-making. Among the GCC countries, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman currently lack specific SEA legislation, while the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have established frameworks at different stages of maturity. The paper highlights the implications of these gaps and provides policy-oriented recommendations to clarify SEA’s role and strengthen its contribution to sustainable development in the GCC.
PhD in Risk, Territory and Public Policies; Chartered Senior Environmental Engineer with 25 years’ experience leading EIA/SEA studies in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Coauthor 1: Simão Bento
Coauthor 2: Ana Catarina Melo
Coauthor 3: Farah Al Jabi
Coauthor 4: Reem Mansour
Coauthor 5: Shaun Pearce